Opinions of the Festool CMS Router Table please

[MMCO]

I am considering the purchase of a Festool CMS Router Table. For those that own one, what are your thoughts, good and bad?

 

[bertv]

It’s fiddly. But it works fine if you have to patience to deal with that. Mine has the OF 2200 in it and that beast will eat anything you throw at it.

 

[Hawkeye0001]

I always wanted one and eventually decided against it.

1. it's crazy expensive for what it is
2. do you really need it mobile? And if you do: it's not very mobile, you'll have to transport it in two to six seperate parts (depending on setup).
3. keep in mind that you need a pre-2020 router for it to work. Due to EU reg changes the entire operating principle of the CMS became obsolete (devices are not allowed to start up by themselves again after they encountered a power cut)
4. dropping the router in and out becomes annoying over time. I used to think the CMS is great for a small shop but it's more cumbersome than anything else and eventually I ended up with two CMS (one for the TS 55, one for the router) before I traded the CMS TS 55 into a CS 50 because even swapping the TS 55 between the module and using it as a plunge saw was seriously hampering workflow. Another few years down the line and I now have two OF 1400, just so that I can keep one in the CMS.
5. it's finicky

I eventually decided to build my own for a fraction of the cost and couldn't be happier. I still have it in a CMS table (thinking I might still use that jigsaw module) but a custom router cabinet on wheels with a dedicated router motor would be way more useful.

 

[peter halle]

I have had mine since they first became available here in NA. I love mine and find the changeout of the router to be within my limits of tolerance. My portability needs are met with it - but I typically don't set up the extension table nor the sliding table, so it is merely a leg unfolding action and router install (if not already installed. Its portability, sliding table, and dual dust collection locations were / are its relatively unique aspects. If you don't already have a compatible Festool router then it might be better to look at other products, especially if you are in NA and don't have access to the other modules for other tools.

Peter

 

[MMCO]

I always wanted one and eventually decided against it.

1. it's crazy expensive for what it is
2. do you really need it mobile? And if you do: it's not very mobile, you'll have to transport it in two to six seperate parts (depending on setup).
3. keep in mind that you need a pre-2020 router for it to work. Due to EU reg changes the entire operating principle of the CMS became obsolete (devices are not allowed to start up by themselves again after they encountered a power cut)
4. dropping the router in and out becomes annoying over time. I used to think the CMS is great for a small shop but it's more cumbersome than anything else and eventually I ended up with two CMS (one for the TS 55, one for the router) before I traded the CMS TS 55 into a CS 50 because even swapping the TS 55 between the module and using it as a plunge saw was seriously hampering workflow. Another few years down the line and I now have two OF 1400, just so that I can keep one in the CMS.
5. it's finicky

I eventually decided to build my own for a fraction of the cost and couldn't be happier. I still have it in a CMS table (thinking I might still use that jigsaw module) but a custom router cabinet on wheels with a dedicated router motor would be way more useful.

I will have a dedicated 1400 installed so the issue of installing/uninstalling is not a concern. What do you mean when you say it's finicky?

 

[bertv]

I will have a dedicated 1400 installed so the issue of installing/uninstalling is not a concern. What do you mean when you say it's finicky?

Fiddly, finicky… I guess thats is potatoes/tomatoes… In this case: adjusting the fence is the most finicky aspect. You need to loosen and then tighten at least two knobs and getting the two parts of the fence lined up so that using fine adjustment becomes feasible is not easy. The markings on the table are not precise enough.

 

[Ebuwan]

I had one in my hands for a little bit; it does the job, and if you need a portable setup with MFT's and whatnot being all the same height is nice; you can even attach the kapex extension wings to it for long pieces.

It is good, i just wasn't blown away. I have never really needed a mobile router table, which is the niche it fills. Taking a router in and out is annoying. it's not really "heavy", which having a router table wobble a little isn't my favorite.

I ended up going with a Phenolic router table package from Woodpeckers, and I couldn't be happier. Contractor i've had at the house is actually interested in the woodpecker table, cuz of the weight and sturdiness is great.

If it were me, and i really needed to have a "mobile" router table with the festool system, i'd modify an MFT with a new top and drop a nice plate/lift into it.

 

[Cheese]

I have one that I use with a dedicated 2200 router...I like it a lot because I enjoy using it outside when the weather is nice. Once you come to grips with having a dedicated router for it, some of the other niggling issues go away.

As far as the fence goes, I solved those issues by attaching a Woodpeckers Micro-Adjust to it using magnets and 1/2" diameter 440C stainless rods. Easy to set up and easy to break down. Nothing to screw in or unscrew, just pull the rods off of the magnets and it's a nice tidy compact package.

 

[MMCO]

Well, I decided to pull the trigger and buy the router table. It came with an OF 1400 and I paid about 55% of the cost of new for both items. I already own a 1400 so this one will remain attached to the CMS. Everything is in pristine condition with very little evidence of any use. I also received a Systainer for the many small parts for the router table, an added bonus. It was still expensive but I have limited space and the ability to fold it up and hang it on the wall is important to me, not so much the portability. I just finished calibrating the side table and crosscut table and am excited to give it a try. I found everything very easy to setup.

Cheese, I like your idea of the Woodpeckers micro adjust. I will try it as is and if I find I need something like this I can always add it on. Brilliant idea using the magnets by the way.

Thanks everyone for your opinions, it really helped me make an educated decision.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I have one that I use with a dedicated 2200 router...I like it a lot because I enjoy using it outside when the weather is nice. Once you come to grips with having a dedicated router for it, some of the other niggling issues go away.

As far as the fence goes, I solved those issues by attaching a Woodpeckers Micro-Adjust to it using magnets and 1/2" diameter 440C stainless rods. Easy to set up and easy to break down. Nothing to screw in or unscrew, just pull the rods off of the magnets and it's a nice tidy compact package.

Nifty little bit of re-engineering there.

 

[tjbnwi]

I also used the Woodpecker Micro Adjust for the CMS fence. Like Cheese I used an “old” crown stop base. Biggest differences, mine is more permanent and I mounted the micro adjusts on T tracks so I had “rapid” capability.

I do have one of my 2200’s mounted in the CMS, it’s lived there since the day I got it (CMS arrived to me on the release date).

Tom

 

[MMCO]

I also used the Woodpecker Micro Adjust for the CMS fence. Like Cheese I used an “old” crown stop base. Biggest differences, mine is more permanent and I mounted the micro adjusts on T tracks so I had “rapid” capability.

I do have one of my 2200’s mounted in the CMS, it’s lived there since the day I got it (CMS arrived to me on the release date).

Tom

I notice you and Cheese show a small table that the micro adjust rests on in all the pictures. I assume this is a Festool part, do you have the part number?

 

[tjbnwi]

I notice you and Cheese show a small table that the micro adjust rests on in all the pictures. I assume this is a Festool part, do you have the part number?

The part is the base for the old Kapex crown stop system. Here is a link, I’m not sure if they are still available. I recall I bought mine used.

Using the crown stop base the fence is easily removable. I also use the “hold in place” screws that are part of the CMS fence system if I’m doing a lot of routing.

https://www.festoolusa.com/accessor...stops-and-attachments/494369---ab-ks#Contains

I also have the TS-75 insert for my CMS.

If I recall correctly you’re in Denver?

Tom

 

[bwehman]

I had one for two years and ended up selling it just a couple months ago. Two main issues I had with it:

1. I really need stops and feather boards often to feel confident/safe and not having a magnetic top for those eventually got to be too much of a burden.
2. I could never get the sliding table to sit flat in the same plane as the table, so it was really difficult getting square cuts with operations involving a "cross cut"

3-ish. I had a close call when I somehow forgot to turn the router off, plugged it in, and because of the on/off switch design, it turned on without me expecting it to when I plugged the router back in. I think I tripped a breaker or something? Can't remember exactly the events that lead up to it, but just scared the daylights out of me when the router unexpectedly fired right up. User error, but I think this very instance was the reason it's not allowed to be sold in the states anymore.

It was great at dust collection, of course. Pretty rock solid considering it's designed to be mobile. Oh and it was a little irritating not being able to easily change bits from the top side.

 

[MMCO]

The part is the base for the old Kapex crown stop system. Here is a link, I’m not sure if they are still available. I recall I bought mine used.

Using the crown stop base the fence is easily removable. I also use the “hold in place” screws that are part of the CMS fence system if I’m doing a lot of routing.

https://www.festoolusa.com/accessor...stops-and-attachments/494369---ab-ks#Contains

I also have the TS-75 insert for my CMS.

If I recall correctly you’re in Denver?

Tom

Thank you for the information, the plate is still available. Yes, I'm in the Denver area, you?

 

[tjbnwi]

Thank you for the information, the plate is still available. Yes, I'm in the Denver area, you?

I’m in Colorado Springs.

I bought a pair used years ago, only used the one. I’ll be in Highlands Ranch Friday and part of Saturday if you want to pick this one up.

Tom

 

[MMCO]

Yes, that would be amazing. Just let me know when and where and I will meet you.

 

[Coen]

I own one for almost 15 years. Same height as MFT, CS 50, everything in the same system. I can swap the module out for the jigsaw module. I can use the sliding table and fences on the MFT, CS 50 and on the CMS.
It's also rather compact to store. If I had limitless space, I might have chosen something else, but I don't, so the compactness to store is a bonus for me.

However... the price is real and if I look at how much I have used it... it probably wasn't a rational decision. But then again I did some nice projects with it that would have been a total PITA to make otherwise. But since it's normal state is folded up stored in a rack in the edge of the garage... it takes time to set it up. And that set-up time might lead to trying to achieve the end result by other means.

But sadly, it's not available anymore at all in Europe. I tend to get very annoyed when nice options disappear. I tend to not recommend people to jump into a discontinued system.

Offtopic rant;
Just like I am used to the 7-row Thinkpad notebook keyboard from model year 2011 that is vastly superior to all the 6-row junk that came since. However, if you have never used it... maybe not try it so you won't regret not having it.
There are more and more things where I think that somewhere around 2011-2012 was the high point for a lot of things. Like the bicycle computer I bought back then had a very streamlined 4-button UI. The one I just got (same brand, successor series) is confusing as fack and has only 3 buttons and lost some very useful functions. Or the coffee machines back then had actual buttons that always worked. Now they all have this stupid touch screen where some sadistic (probably some "really necessary" H1b worker) decided to give the the options 1x1 pixel hitboxes.
Or now with Windows ... every option is set to DD/MM/YYYY yet the search results if you press the window button and then type... have the dates with the f***cked up American way of dates; the wrong way around. Or the Windows 11 taskbar that for the first time since eternity can't be made two rows high without 3rd party software.
Or Ikea furniture that piece be piece gets replaced from nicely coated chipboard to lousy coated cardboard.
Or the French Curd from the supermarket that I used to buy for years suddenly, keeping the same EAN, has less fat, less protein and got completely disgusting

Or over the top "safety" rules in western European factories that then end up making the work nearly impossible... and then it gets outsourced to Turkey or eastern Europe where they are 60 years behind on such rules. Or what my country does; buy-out farms to prevent nitrogen oxide deposition in "nearby vulnerable nature" and then 500 meters down the road the Germans cut down 5x the area in forest and open brand new farms.

Not to mention the housing prices or the nett migration that were respectively >2x and 10x lower. (the latter one not applying in the US currently; you guy did good with that)

There are also a lot of things clearly better now too, but somehow these small things getting worse seem to drown the improvements.
//ok back on-topic

3-ish. I had a close call when I somehow forgot to turn the router off, plugged it in, and because of the on/off switch design, it turned on without me expecting it to when I plugged the router back in. I think I tripped a breaker or something? Can't remember exactly the events that lead up to it, but just scared the daylights out of me when the router unexpectedly fired right up. User error, but I think this very instance was the reason it's not allowed to be sold in the states anymore.

Then you must have plugged it straight in the outlet instead of via the CMS switch? Because if I remember right... the CMS itself contains a NVR as well. Or I might be mistaken on that part...

 

[Hawkeye0001]

Then you must have plugged it straight in the outlet instead of via the CMS switch? Because if I remember right... the CMS itself contains a NVR as well. Or I might be mistaken on that part...

It happens when the following conditions are met:
1. Router plug-it not connected yet but switch still / already in the locked position
2. CMS already connected to the wall outlet and green button pushed after the fact that the circuit became live
3. if you NOW connect the router's plug-it cable with the CMS' pigtail: voila, flying bits and mashed fingers ensue

 

[MMCO]

I have a question for the router table owners. I am unable to secure the clear plastic fence. I tighten it and it still moves quite a bit. Am a missing a washer or something else?